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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Turret clock

Turret Clock by James Murray

Partially verified

This turret clock, assigned registration number ST 19014, was made by James Murray in 1854. The object was installed at the National Model & Training School, located at the corner of Spring and Albert Streets, Melbourne, Victoria. The clock construction includes a weight-driven movement, an anchor escapement, and a clock face mounted on a metal stand. The movement is housed in a wooden box, and the dial bears the inscription: 'James Murray, G. Bourke St, Melbourne'. The object was donated to the collection by Education Victoria on January 25, 1933.

The turret clock dial supported by its metal stand, with the movement components packed in wooden crates behind it.
The turret clock dial supported by its metal stand, with the movement components packed in wooden crates behind it. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Clock · Turret clock
Maker / attribution
James Murray
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 19014
Source-reported date
1854
Source-reported place
Australia

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Movement and Mechanism

The turret clock features a weight-driven movement. The gear train and components are mounted within a distinctively green-painted frame, which is stored in a wooden box. The mechanism utilizes an anchor escapement to regulate the timekeeping of the clock.

In addition to the primary movement assembly, the object includes physical components such as drive weights and a secondary collection of parts stored within a box. These components constitute the mechanical core of the installation, designed for public timekeeping at the school site.

Evidence for this section
  • “Weight driven; anchor escapement.”
  • “Movement in wooden box, clock face on metal stand, weights and box of parts.”

Dial and Mounting

The clock features a circular dial, which displays Roman numerals. The dial is held in place by an open-frame metal stand, which provides the necessary structural support for the face in an upright, visible position.

The dial bears a specific maker's mark identifying the origin of the instrument. The inscription located on the dial reads 'James Murray, G. Bourke St, Melbourne', linking the clock to the Melbourne business premises of James Murray & Co.

Evidence for this section
  • “clock face on metal stand”
  • “Dial marked 'James Murray, G. Bourke St, Melbourne'.”

Provenance and History

The clock was manufactured in 1854 for the National Model & Training School in East Melbourne. This institution was established in the same year on the corner of Spring and Albert Streets. It later functioned as Victoria's first secondary school from 1905 before relocating to South Yarra.

Following the closure and demolition of the original school building in 1933, the clock was preserved. It entered the collection via a donation from Education Victoria on January 25, 1933.

Evidence for this section
  • “Association: type: User, name: National Model & Training School, date: 1854”
  • “Donation from Victoria: Education Victoria, 25 Jan 1933”
  • “James Murray & Co was a London clockmaking firm with a Melbourne office from 1861.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement contain any hidden manufacture date or serial stamps besides the dial inscription?
  • Are all original components from the 1854 installation accounted for in the current collection box?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Turret Clock by James Murray
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJames Murray“Maker, name: Mr James Murray”
Year of manufacture1854“date: 1854”
Original locationNational Model & Training School, Melbourne“User, name: National Model & Training School”
Registration numberST 19014“Registration number: ST 19014”
EscapementAnchor escapement“anchor escapement”
Dial inscriptionJames Murray, G. Bourke St, Melbourne“Dial marked 'James Murray, G. Bourke St, Melbourne'.”
Acquisition date25 Jan 1933“Donation from Victoria: Education Victoria, 25 Jan 1933”

Visible details

  • Weight-driven movement housed in a wooden crate
  • Dial features applied Roman numerals
  • Movement frame is painted green
  • Clock face supported by a metal framework

Research qualifications

  • The exact extent of components included in the 'box of parts' is not detailed.
  • The current state of mechanical functionality is not described.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Turret Clock - James Murray, National Model & Training School, Melbourne, 1854

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3f49250145

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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